Page 23 - Delaware Medical Journal - June 2017
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MEDICINE AND LAW
2. The FAA Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications)
Do Not Issue – Do Not Fly List5
http://www.faa.gov/go/dni This reference contains a list warning, such as, “may cause drowsiness” or “be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery”, the FAA uses
• Five-times the maximum pharmacologic half-life of the medication; or
• Five-times the maximum hour dose interval if pharmacologic half-life information is not available. For example, there is taken every four to six hours.
3. The Aeronautical Information Manual6
pdf Chapter 8 is devoted to medical information for the
pilot, as opposed to describing the standards required for and visual illusions germane to aviation such as Coriolis false impressions, are among the subjects discussed. Familiarity with these topics provides the certifying physician with valuable background as to why certain medical conditions
can be particularly problematic to a pilot, as well as particular challenges unique to piloting a plane.
4. The FAA BasicMed Web Page7 www.faa.gov/go/basicmed. This site has supplementary information for both pilot and physician, a FAQs page, and additional references.
in Delaware will use BasicMed. The FAA estimated
345 active private pilots and 308 active student pilots in Delaware as of December 31, 2016.8 The April 1, 2017 9 listed 447 individuals in underestimates the total number of individuals with FAA Medical Certificates as one can request being excluded from may not be active pilots.
SUMMARY
Pilots who have a long-term relationship with a personal, primary care physician may seek out that individual as
of the applicant’s medical history and the pilot’s response to any ongoing treatment that the personal physician is providing are valuable benchmarks to use in certifying an individual to discussed, should help the primary care physician in rendering safe as possible, and to concurrently allow private pilots to AME process.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
■ BRETTELLIOTT,MDisanOphthalmologistwithapracticeinMilford,Del.,and an Airman Medical Examiner for all FAA medical classes and is certified to work with pilots who have a history of substance abuse or are taking antidepressants. He is also a Private Pilot with instrument and helicopter ratings.
REFERENCES
1. The FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (PL 114-190) Section 2307. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th- congress/house-bill/636/text
2. FAA Comprehensive Medical Evaluation Checklist. Available at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/FAA_ Form_8700-2_.pdf
3. Final rule: Alternative Pilot Physical Examination and Education Requirements. Available at: https://www.regulations.gov/ document?D=FAA-2016-9157-0008
4. FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. Available at: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/ offices/aam/ame/guide/
5. FAA Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications) Do Not Issue – Do Not Fly List. Available at:
http://www.faa.gov/go/dni
6. The Aeronautical Information Manual. Available at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/aim.pdf
7. BasicMed FAA Webpage. Available at: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/ basic_med/
8. U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics. Available at: https://www.faa.gov/data_ research/aviation_data_statistics/civil_airmen_statistics/
9. Airmen Certification Database. Available at: https://www.faa. gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/releasable_airmen_ download/
Del Med J | June 2017 | Vol. 89 | No. 6
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